Basic Strategy: Queen-Six-Four Rule
The Golden Rule: Play if you have Queen-6-4 or better, fold if you have worse.
This strategy minimizes the house edge to approximately 3.37% on the ante/play bets.
Decision Examples
✅ PLAY These Hands
- • Any pair or better (e.g., 3♠ 3♥ K♦)
- • Queen high with 6+ kicker (Q♠ 7♥ 4♦)
- • King or Ace high (K♠ 5♥ 2♦)
- • Queen-6-4 exactly (Q♠ 6♥ 4♦)
❌ FOLD These Hands
- • Queen-6-3 or worse (Q♠ 6♥ 3♦)
- • Queen-5 high (Q♠ 5♥ 9♦)
- • Jack high or lower (J♠ 9♥ 5♦)
- • Queen-4-3 (Q♠ 4♥ 3♦)
Interactive Strategy Practice
Test Your Strategy Knowledge
Hand: Q♠ 8♥ 2♦
Decision: PLAY
Queen-8-2 is better than Queen-6-4
Queen-8-2 is better than Queen-6-4
Hand: Q♦ 5♠ 9♥
Decision: FOLD
Queen-5 high doesn't meet the threshold
Queen-5 high doesn't meet the threshold
Hand: A♠ 4♥ 2♦
Decision: PLAY
Always play Ace high
Always play Ace high
Hand: J♠ 10♥ 8♦
Decision: FOLD
Jack high is below Queen threshold
Jack high is below Queen threshold
Advanced Strategy Tips
Bankroll Management
- • Budget for 20-30 hands minimum
- • Remember you're betting 2x ante when you play
- • Consider Pair Plus bet impact on variance
- • Set win/loss limits before playing
About the Pair Plus Bet
- • House edge is higher than ante/play (7.56% vs 3.37%)
- • Adds excitement but increases overall house edge
- • Consider as entertainment cost, not investment
- • Can skip entirely for lowest house edge
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Playing weak Queen hands (Queen-5 or worse)
- • Folding premium hands due to fear
- • Chasing losses with bigger bets
- • Ignoring basic strategy for "hunches"
Strategy Summary
1. Always play: Any pair, straight, flush, or better
2. Always play: Ace high or King high
3. Play Queen high only if: Second card is 6 or higher, OR second card is 6 and third card is 4 or higher
4. Always fold: Jack high or worse
5. Pair Plus: Optional - consider house edge vs entertainment value